The Venezuelan military is expected to move closer to Trinidad and Tobago to tackle what the country’s Minister of Defence, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, described as acts of smuggling and human trafficking within the territory close to the Gulf of Paria.

“Sixty units will occupy the territory of the 15 municipalities of that state to scrutinise and to conduct reconnaissance and clear the area. It should be remembered that from Trinidad and Tobago, a lot of fuel smuggling occurs, as well as smuggling of weapons and ammunition, and a lot of human trafficking,” Lopez was quoted as saying during a televised address to citizens on Sunday by Trinidad Express.

“All of that happens along the axis between Mapuro, the tip of the Paria Peninsula, and Trinidad and Tobago. So, we are going there to clear out any terrorist groups or any drug trafficking organisations that are operating illegally in that territory,” he continued.

Lopez said that under the instructions of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the military would be moving to the Sucre State, which includes the Paria peninsula.